"WOAH."
My Architect friend Paolo said in awe as he basked in the glorious presence of the beauty before us.
For any Architect, Interior Designer or any design enthusiast, there's always this unexplainable feeling when you step foot on an iconic structure. I have been seeing the DDP plaza on Architecture and Design blogs for the past year and I have always wanted to see the Zaha Hadid piece face to face. Being with Architects on this trip was indeed the BEST decision because they understood the feeling of being in awe and being appreciative of the art standing in front of us.
Dubbed as having a neofuturistic design approach, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza stands at the heart of the fashion district of Dongdaemun with a sumptuous 83,000 sq. meter footprint. Designed by Iraqi-British Architect Zaha Hadid, the DDP has become a hub for local and international Designers to showcase their products for the public to patronize and enjoy.
My buddies in Seoul (from L-R): Kath, Sab, and Pao
One should not miss the DDP at night. It is the perfect time to appreciate the finishes and textures of the structure.
The much photographed stairwell is indeed gorgeous and sleek.
Ended my DDP visit by capturing a photo of this family who had a date at the museum as well. This is what I would like to call: good parenting. Start your kids young when it comes to art and design appreciation and help them find themselves with it!
SEOUL: JUXTAPOSITION OF THE OLD AND NEW (BUKCHON, SAMCHEONGDONG, MMCA, & KUKJE GALLERY)
By Hanna Dumlao - 5:52 PM
Bukchon Hanok Village is a beautiful place that exudes the Traditional Korean Folk charm. Still preserving the sense of culture and community, Bukchon is a home for Traditional Korean Art, Lifestyle, and the like.
Samcheongdong is also a beautiful and charming place to see. Still preserving most of the old Korean Architectural elements in their new structures, the place is a perfect example of adaptive community and design.
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| I had to capture this because it's somehow very relative to the present setting. An Ahjussi (uncle) sits by a bench and quietly observes the people and the scenery in front of him while a young man sits on the bench next to him fiddling with his tablet, earphones on. |
Gyeongi-do is very near Samcheongdong. So after you go to Samcheongdong and have a nice traditional Korean meal, walk it off and visit the National Museum of Modern Contemporary Art, Kukje Gallery, and even the Gyeongbukgung Palace.
The NMMCA's Architecture was meant to be of an understated design. The Lead Architect, Mihn Yun Jun wanted the MMCA to coexist with the community for it to become a backdrop of tradition and culture, respecting the fact that it is right in front of the Historical Gyeongbukgung Palace and that its very soil housed the Office of the Royal Family Affairs during the Joseon Dynasty.
Madang is a Korean term for creating open spaces. The MMCA has a lot of open spaces that exhibits the beautiful play of lights and shadows especially on late afternoons. The buildings are interconnected through the passages in the basement level.
Kukje Gallery is located near MMCA. The concept of Kukje is very unique and veers away from the traditional approach of MMCA's. Although modernist in form and function, Kukje celebrates the Modern Korean art and Architecture.
Kukje has 3 buildings (K1) which has a deconstructive approach of facade, (K2), and the very famous and photogenic (K3) which is famous for it's very unique mesh veil.
I failed to snap a photo of K2's facade. Something to look forward to when I come back! In the meantime, here are my photos of K3:
Obligatory emo tourist shot. I just had to! Taken by my best friend Na Ri Yim
K3's Interior is very plain and embraces a lot of Natural light. Here's Na Ri checking out one of the artworks exhibited during the time we visited.
More photos on the next Seoul Photo Journal!
